Today, the main news outlets in Antigua and Barbuda gave wide coverage to the statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, rejecting the arbitrary and unfounded decision by the current Government of the Republic of Ecuador to expel all diplomatic personnel from the Cuban Embassy in that South American country. The Cuban Foreign Ministry's statement describes this action by the Ecuadorian authorities as a completely unfriendly and unprecedented act, demonstrating the government's disrespect for diplomatic practices and courtesies established and observed by the international community.
Following full text of the statement from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba rejects in the strongest terms the arbitrary and unjustified decision by the government of Ecuador to expel all personnel from the Cuban Embassy in that country.
On March 4, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of the Republic of Ecuador informed, through a Verbal Note, of its decision to declare all diplomatic, consular, and administrative personnel of the Cuban Embassy in Quito persona non grata, without providing any justification, and gave them 48 hours to leave Ecuadorian territory.
This is an unfriendly and unprecedented act that significantly damages the historic relations of friendship and cooperation between both countries and peoples.
This action also demonstrates the current Ecuadorian government's disregard for the diplomatic practices and courtesies observed by the international community.
The Ministry categorically reaffirms that the staff of the Cuban Embassy in Quito, as established by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, has strictly complied with Ecuador's laws and regulations without interfering in the internal affairs of that State.
It does not seem coincidental that this action has been taken in a context characterized by the intensification of U.S. aggression against Cuba and strong pressure from the U.S. government on third countries to join in this policy, just days before the summit convened in Miami on March 7 with a small group of representatives from governments in the region.
Cuba is convinced that the Ecuadorian people will defend their ties of solidarity and brotherhood with Cuba.
Havana, March 4, 2026